Although Trump did not specifically mention Mexico in his address, his words are generating strong reactions from those most affected: migrants.

CGTN’s Franc Contreras reports.

Mexican residents react to Trump's speech

Mexican residents react to Trump's speech

Although Trump did not specifically mention Mexico in his address, his words are generating strong reactions from those most affected: migrants. CGTN's Franc Contreras reports.

A top Mexican immigration official, Rodulfo Figueroa Pacheco, said the Trump administration’s deportation effort so far shows little difference when compared to his predecessor President Barack Obama at least as it relates to this sector of the border.

“I understand that there is a general concern arising from the statements of the President of the United States on the issue of migration, but it is also true that no substantive changes have taken place,” Pacheco said.

Trump’s announcement of the creation of a new agency called Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement is also raising fears.

Human rights observers in border cities and all across Mexico are concerned that the creation of this new U.S. federal office known as VOICE will lead to wide-spread discrimination against Latin American immigrants in the United States.

But, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research and other independent data, undocumented immigrants in the U.S. commit fewer crimes than U.S. born citizens.

Trump’s insistence on building a border wall is also being criticized in Mexico.

Many people said it would be far more productive for Trump to work with Mexico to strengthen regional economies, which they said would eliminate the need for people seeking jobs to migrate illegally to the U.S.